ORANGE BARRELS SIGNAL PROGRESS Storm pipe projects and paving top summer “to-do” list for road crews

In addition to the ARPA funding, the Township has also applied TIF funds to infrastructure work when applicable. In 2022, TIF will pay for approximately $600,000 of the $2.0 million allocated for paving. Tax Increment Financing allows local communities to benefit directly from increased property values related solely to commercial investment in specific areas.

The Township’s ability to stretch its road dollars is also due to an expanded partnership with the Butler County Engineer’s Office (BCEO). While county roads within TIF districts are improved using TIF, the BCEO funds paving of some Township-maintained roads and contributes equipment, personnel and other resources to improve Township infrastructure. The partnership with the BCEO has saved West Chester taxpayers about $4.3 million over the past 10 years.

‘Tis the season for orange barrels and road work. While this can mean great frustration for motorists, it also signals progress in maintaining the critical infrastructure of the Township.

Every year, West Chester identifies projects and sets budget for the annual Infrastructure Improvement Program. This program includes a variety of features, products and partners working together to mitigate costs to taxpayers while ensuring demands are met.

The 2022 Infrastructure Improvement Program budget is $6.7 million. This is more than double the 2021 commitment and includes roads, curbs and storm pipe improvements throughout the Township and combines resources from the Township Roads Funds, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

In 2022 West Chester will address about 17,000 lineal feet of curb, about 7 miles of roadway and 250 sections of storm pipe.

Increasing costs and the demands of repair and replacement of similarly aged infrastructure continues to require ingenuity on the part of West Chester Community Services and Township leadership. Being agile in how we plan and budget for the annual infrastructure program is key.

“With many of West Chester’s neighborhoods and infrastructure installed within a relatively short period of time in the early to mid1990s, replacement is all coming due within a short period of time and stretching the community’s resources is our job as good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Community Services Director Tim Franck.

Storm pipe replacement in the public right-of-way has been of specific concern. The Community Services Department has deployed several pipe lining methods in recent years helping to reduce the costs of digging up roads and replacing the pipes beneath.

These newer methods paired with the allocation of funding from ARPA to storm pipe repair replacement in the coming years will help the Township stretch resources and make real headway in meeting the demands of maturing infrastructure. As part of the federal funding program West Chester is slated to receive $6.6 million to be spent in the next 3-4 years.

“We’re using this funding in a way that benefits all taxpayers –applying it to a financial responsibility that the Township will have to face, and relieving the future liability to our taxpayers,” said Mr. Franck.

To follow specific road projects throughout the summer months, check out West Chester’s project map on DIG (Data Informed Government).

Please slow down when in a construction zones or area where crews are working. Road crews don’t speed through your office, so don’t speed through their work space.

Meet Road Supt. Jim Rigsby

Jim Rigsby is a veteran of West Chester’s Roads Division with 27 years of service to the community. Jim’s entire career with West Chester has been invested in caring for the community’s infrastructure. Jim works as part of the Community Services Department leading a team of professionals who are assigned road work, storm pipe repairs, culvert work and much more.